Storage holder for screwdriver bit

ABSTRACT

The storage holder ( 18, 19 ) for at least one screwdriver bit ( 12 A,  12 B) comprises:—a body ( 20, 21 ) constructed with at least one housing ( 22, 23 ) for receiving the or each bit ( 12 A,  12 B) in a storage position in which the or each bit ( 12 A,  12 B) is stored and locked in a first orientation;—and retention means for retaining the or each bit ( 12 A,  12 B) in the associated housing in its storage position. The retention means are fixed relative to the body ( 20, 21 ) and are capable of retaining the or each bit ( 12 A,  12 B) in a grasping position which is not the same as the storage position, the relative orientation of the or each bit ( 12 A,  12 B) in its grasping position being different from the first orientation of the or each bit ( 12 A,  12 B).

The present invention concerns a storage holder for at least one screwdriver bit, the or each bit including a driving portion and a working head, the support being of the type described in the preamble of claim 1.

It is known from document DE 299 02 062 U1 to make a storage device for a composition comprising a plurality of screwdriver bits and a tip-holder tool. The device comprises a body on which several holders are pivotably mounted adapted to receive the driving portion with a hexagonal transverse section of screwdriver bits. In a first configuration, the screwdriver bits occupy a storage position housed in the outer volume of the body. In a second configuration, obtained by rotating each support in relation to the body, the bits are positioned so as to have their working heads outside the outer volume of the body and thereby facilitate gripping thereof by the user. However, such a device does not allow an economical production cost. Moreover, the device is bulky and requires numerous manipulations by the user to choose a bit.

The invention aims to simplify the design of a holder for at least one screwdriver bit, while reducing production costs.

To that end, the invention concerns a storage holder for at least one screwdriver bit of the aforementioned type, characterized by the characterizing part of claim 1.

Thus, the invention ensures effective gripping of at least one screwdriver bit and makes it possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the holder.

Other features are described in claims 2 to 9.

The present invention also concerns a storage box for a plurality of screwdriver bits comprising first and second storage elements able to move in relation to each other between a closed storage position preventing access to an inner storage volume of the bits and an open position allowing access to said volume. At least one of the first and second elements is a holder as described above and each element includes housings positioned inwardly in relation to the base of the or each element.

Other features are described in claims 11 to 14.

The invention and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the following description, provided solely as an example and done in reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective view of a holder of a storage box according to the invention, the box being in its closed position,

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the storage holder of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a front view of the storage box of FIG. 1 in a flat opened position,

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the storage holder of FIG. 3 along line IV-IV,

FIG. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the storage holder of FIG. 3 along line V-V.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a storage box 10 for a plurality of screwdriver bits 12A and 12B (FIGS. 3 and 4), these respectively having a driving portion 14A and 14B with a hexagonal transverse section and a working head 16A and 16B with a male pattern cavity.

The storage box 10 comprises a first storage element or holder 18 connected to a second storage element or holder 19, the elements 18 and 19 being adapted to support and store the screwdriver bits 12A and 12B.

The storage box 10 assumes the form of a device able to be folded over between two extreme configurations. The storage elements 18 and 19 are, in fact, able to move in relation to each other between a closed storage position preventing access to an inner storage volume of the bits, and a flat open position allowing total access to said volume.

The storage elements 18 and 19 respectively include a body 20 and 21 (FIG. 3), the bodies 20 and 21 each being positioned in a molded half-shell (FIG. 4) with a general rectangular shape. The bodies 20 and 21 are, moreover, assembled and hinged by elastic engagement along one of the large sides of each rectangle along a direction of rotation X-X so as to be able to be folded over and unfolded.

In FIG. 3, the storage elements 18 and 19 are shown, to facilitate the description, in the flat open fold position.

In the flat open configuration, the bits 12A and 12B are positioned longitudinally along an axis Y-Y substantially parallel to the rotational hinge axis X-X of the storage box 10. The driving portions 14A and 14B of the bits 12A and 12B are oriented opposite the axis X-X while the working heads 16A and 16B are turned towards the axis X-X.

The bodies 20 and 21 respectively include a base 40 and 41, preferably made of molded plastic. Each base 40 and 41 includes , respectively, a first so-called inner face 40A and 41A and a second so-called outer face 40B and 41B, the terms “inner” and “outer” being understood in relation to the position of the bits relative to the half-shell shape of the associated body. Respective housings 22 and 23 (FIG. 3), adapted to receive, by shape complementarity, the driving portion 14A and 14B of the tips 12A and 12B, are arranged on a first inner face 40A and 41A, respectively.

Retention means 24 and 25 respectively retain the bits 12A and 12B in their associated housings 22 and 23.

To simplify the description, only the retention means 25 of the storage element 19 will be described, the retention means 24 of the storage element 18 being identical to those of the storage element 19.

At each housing 23 of the body 20, the retention means 25 include two flexible lugs 25A arranged on either side of the housing 23, respectively (FIG. 5). The lugs 25A are fixed relative to the base 41 and extend longitudinally from the first inner face 41A of the base 41 substantially perpendicular thereto. The lugs 25A are, preferably, made in one piece with the base 41.

An inner radial retention protrusion 25B (FIG. 5), adapted to retain the bit 12A in relation to the base 41, extends each flexible lug 25A at its free end along a radial direction oriented towards the inside of the associated housing.

The bit 12A or 12B is able to be locked in the storage position relative to its respective base 40 or 41 in its associated housing 22 or 23.

The housings 22 and 23 also respectively include a rear stop 26 and 27 whereof the function will be described later.

The body 20 also comprises two wings 42. Each of these laterally extends each end of the base 40 at the small sides of the rectangle along a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis X-X. A lower hollowed cross piece 44 with a partially circular profile extends along the axis X-X and connects the wings 42 to each other. Each wing 42 includes an articulating flange 46 adjacent to the cross-piece 44, the flange 46 comprising a male elastic engaging portion (not shown) extending along the axis X-X.

In the same way, two wings 43 extend the base 41 of the body 21. A lower cross piece 45 with a partially circular profile extends along the axis X-X and connects the wings 43 to each other. Each wing 43 includes an articulating flange 47 adjacent to the cross-piece 45, the flange 47 comprising a female elastic engaging portion (not shown) extending along the axis X-X.

Thus, each pair of respective male and female elastic engagement parts of the articulating flanges 46 and 47 cooperates with the other and is adapted to hinge the storage box 10 along the axis of rotation X-X.

The cross pieces 44 and 45 are coaxial in relation to the axis X-X, the cross piece 45 being arranged inside the cross piece 44 when the storage elements 18 and 19 are assembled by elastic engagement.

The body 20 of the storage element 18 also includes an opening 50 extending opposite the working head 16A of the bit 12A. The opening 50, preferably single, is defined by the base 40, the wings 42 and the lower cross piece 44. The housing 22 includes a transverse section that is at least partially hexagonal, adapted to receive and retain, elastically, after allowing for clearance, the driving portion 14A of the element 12A through shape complementarity.

The body 21 of the storage element 19 comprises a plurality of actuating levers 51 able to move in flexion and, preferably, made in a single piece with the base 41.

In the embodiment shown, each lever 51 is generally Y-shaped. A lever 51 comprises an actuating button 52 connected to two flexible branches 53, which themselves are connected to the base 41 on the axis of rotation X-X side. The button 52 is arranged on the side of the second outer face 41 B of the base 41 opposite the axis X-X. The branches 53 are arranged substantially perpendicular to the axis X-X and are preferably made in a single piece with the base 41.

A V-shaped plunger 55, whereof the inner opening angle is about 60° , is positioned on the side of the first inner face 41A of the lever 51 opposite the button 52 and the driving portion 14A of the bit 12A.

Opposite the actuating button 52, the housing 23 includes a generally hexagonal transverse section (FIG. 5), defined by the plunger 55, the flexible lugs 25A and the inner protrusions 25B. The transverse section of the housing 23 is adapted to receive and retain, elastically, after allowing for clearance, the driving portion 14B with hexagonal transverse section of the bit 12B. The latter part is locked in relation to the base 41 in the storage position.

The body 21 of the storage element 19 also includes a compartment 60 adapted to house a bit-holder tool (not shown). The compartment 60 is positioned in the lower cross-piece 45 and extends along the axis of rotation X-X.

An opening 62, making it possible to verify the presence of the bit-holder in its compartment 60 when the storage box 10 is in the closed position, is arranged substantially in the middle of the lower cross-piece 45.

The base 40 of the storage element 18 is extended opposite the axis of rotation X-X by a tab 70 provided with a hole allowing the passage of a pin for suspending from sales furniture.

The base 41 of the storage element 19 also includes a tab 75 positioned opposite the axis of rotation X-X. The tab 75 is adapted to cooperate with a tab 70 of the storage element 18 in order to lock the storage elements 18 and 19 in the first closed configuration of the storage box 10 hinged folded over, by mutual engagement of the adjacent edges of the tabs 70 and 75 (FIGS. 1 and 2).

To facilitate the description of the invention, the storage box 10 has been shown and described in a second configuration in an open position with the storage elements 18 and 19 positioned substantially flat (FIGS. 3 and 4).

However, the storage box 10 comprises an indexing device (not shown) making it possible to open the storage elements 18 and 19 in at least one substantially V-shaped configuration whereof the inner opening angle is between 0° and 180°, preferably in three intermediate configurations at about 60°, 90° and 120°.

The manipulation of the screwdriver bits will now be described.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, the bits 12A and 12B are shown in solid lines in their storage position, in which they are stored and locked on their respective bases 40 and 41 in a first orientation along axis Y-Y.

In FIG. 4, the bits 12A and 12B are shown in dotted lines in a grasping position adapted for a user to grasp each bit 12A and 12B easily. This grasping position is different from the storage position of the bits, the relative orientation of the bits 12A and 12B in their grasping position relative to the retention means 24 and 25 being angularly different from the first orientation of the bits 12A and 12B in relation to the axis Y-Y.

In the storage position, the retention means 24 and 25 respectively cooperate with the bits 12A and 12B by shape complementarity (FIG. 5). In this same position, the bits 12A and 12B are received and retained in the housing 22 and 23 of the bodies 20 and 21, respectively, the free end of the driving portions 14A and 14B of the bits 12A and 12B bearing against the respective stop 26 and 27 of the housings 22 and 23, whereas the other end of the bits bears against the respective cross-pieces 44, 45.

When the user wishes to move the bit 12A from its storage position into its grasping position, he positions a finger opposite the opening 50 of the body 20 of the storage element 18 facing the bit 12A to be selectively removed from the storage box 10. He introduces the finger into the opening and, with the tip of the finger, he acts directly on the working head 16A of the bit 12A according to arrow F1 of FIG. 4. The action of the user's finger is done in a defined direction from the second outer face 40B towards the first inner face 40A of the base 40.

By directly applying a stress on the working head 16A, the user creates a rotational torque substantially centered at one point of the rear stop 26 against which the driving portion 14A bears.

Under the effect of this rotational torque, the driving portion 14A laterally moves the flexible lugs 25A, which bend by a cam effect between the driving portion 14A of the bit 12A and the inner protrusions 25B.

In the grasping position of the bit 12A, the retention means 25 still cooperate with the driving portion 14A of the bit 12A, the inner protrusions 25B being elastically frictionally engaged with two opposite faces of the driving portion 14A with a transverse hexagonal section of the bit 12A.

When the user wishes to move a bit 12B positioned in the body 21 of the storage element 19 from its storage position to its grasping position, he positions a finger opposite a button 52 of the lever 51 associated with the selected bit 12B, and he exerts a force along arrow F2 of FIG. 4.

Under the effect of the pushing force on the button 52, the flexible branches 53 of the lever 51 bend inwardly in a defined direction from the second outer face 41B towards the first inner face 41A. The plunger 55 acts directly on the driving portion 14B of the bit 12B so as to create a rotational torque whereof the center is situated in a place defined by a protruding lip 27A of the rear stop 27, the lip 27A having a shape complementary to the beveled profile of the free end of the driving portion 14B of the bit 12B.

Under the action of this rotational torque, the bit 12B pivots from its storage position to its grasping position, the protruding lip 27A serving to prevent the ejection of the bit 12B given the weak lever arm between the plunger 55 and the rear stop 27 with which the rotational torque is applied from the button 52.

In an open unfolding intermediate configuration of the box 10, i.e. a configuration between the closed position and the flat open position, the user performs the same manipulations as before to move the bits 12A and 12B from their storage position to their grasping position. Depending on the position of the bit to be grasped in the storage box, the user acts with a finger positioned either through the opening 50, or on a button 52 of the lever 51. Each action is performed from the two outer faces 40B and 41B of the bodies 20 and 21 towards the first inner faces 40A and 41A of the same bodies.

Owing to the invention, taking the bits is improved, the simplified design of the storage box allowing a reduced production cost. 

1-13. (canceled)
 14. A storage holder for at least one screwdriver bit, the or each bit including a driving portion and a working head, the holder comprising: a body including a base arranged with at least one housing, the or each housing being adapted to receive the or each bit in a storage position in which the or each bit is stored and locked on the base in a first orientation; a retention part connected to the base, adapted to retain the or each bit positioned in the associated housing in its storage position; the retention part being fixed in relation to the base of the body and being adapted to retain the or each bit in a grasping position that is adapted so that a user grasps the or each bit and that is different from the storage position, the relative orientation of the or each bit in its grasping position relative to the retention part being different from the first orientation of the or each bit, wherein the support comprises an actuating part adapted to selectively move the or each bit from its storage position to its grasping position.
 15. The storage holder according to claim 14, wherein, in the storage position of the or each bit, the retention part is adapted to cooperate with the or each bit by shape complementarity.
 16. The storage holder according to claim 14, wherein, in the grasping position of the or each bit, the retention part is adapted to cooperate with the or each bit by friction.
 17. The storage holder according to claim 14, wherein the retention part comprises flexible lugs, preferably made in a single piece with the base of the body, arranged on a first face of the base and adapted to elastically retain, in the storage position, the or each bit, in particular the driving portion of the or each bit, by elastic engagement, the lugs being arranged on either side of the associated housing at the or each bit.
 18. The storage holder according to claim 14, wherein the base of the body comprises a second face opposite the first face, and in that the actuating part comprises a button that can be activated from the second face so as to selectively move the or each bit from its storage position to its grasping position.
 19. The storage holder according to claim 14, wherein the actuating part comprises at least one flexible lever positioned on the base of the body, preferably made in a single piece with the base, the or each lever, associated with the or each housing, being provided with a plunger adapted to selectively move the or each bit from its storage position to its grasping position.
 20. The storage support according to claim 14, wherein the actuating part comprises an opening extending opposite the or each bit and adapted to allow the passage of a user's finger so as to directly and selectively move the or each bit from its storage position to its grasping position.
 21. The storage holder according to claim 14, wherein the housings comprise a stop associated with the or each housing and adapted so that the associated bit bears against the stop during movement between the storage position and the grasping position of the or each bit.
 22. The storage holder according to claim 21, wherein the stop comprises a protruding lip with a shape complementary to the beveled profile of the free end of the driving portion of a bit.
 23. A storage box for a plurality of screwdriver bits, comprising first and second storage elements able to move in relation to each other between a closed storage position preventing access to an inner storage volume of the bits and an open position allowing access to said volume, wherein at least one of the first and second elements is a storage holder for at least one screwdriver bit, the or each bit including a driving portion and a working head, the holder comprising: a body including a base arranged with at least one housing, the or each housing being adapted to receive the or each bit in a storage position in which the or each bit is stored and locked on the base in a first orientation; a retention part connected to the base, adapted to retain the or each bit positioned in the associated housing in its storage position; the retention part being fixed in relation to the base of the body and being adapted to retain the or each bit in a grasping position that is adapted so that a user grasps the or each bit and that is different from the storage position, the relative orientation of the or each bit in its grasping position relative to the retention part being different from the first orientation of the or each bit, wherein the support comprises an actuating part adapted to selectively move the or each bit from its storage position to its grasping position, wherein the or each element comprises housings positioned inwardly in relation to the base of the or each element.
 24. The storage box according to claim 23, wherein the first and second elements are rotatably hinged in relation to each other along an axis of rotation, and in that the second element is provided with a compartment for receiving a bit-holder tool, the compartment extending along the axis of rotation of the first and second elements.
 25. The storage box according to claim 23, wherein one of the first and second elements comprises a tab adapted to suspend the box, the first and second elements preferably comprising first and second tabs, respectively, adapted to cooperate and keep the box locked in its closed storage position. 